How Does Medicare Work?

Medicare is the nation’s largest health insurance program, covering health care services such as hospital stays, skilled nursing and physician services for about 49 million people.

There are four parts to Medicare, each providing different types of health care services:

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Optional coverage helps to pay for expenses beyond what is covered by Medicare. There are several Medicare Supplement insurance plans, each with different benefits and premiums, so you can choose the plan that works best for your specific needs. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are identified by the separate letters “A” through “N”. The basic benefits of each plan are exactly alike for all insurance companies.

Understanding your Medicare Choices

You can choose from two paths to reach the Medicare coverage you need. Here’s how: